Console
Your console is accessed via a web browser and is password protected – no software is loaded onto your computer. It gives access to all the features described below.
HTML Template
A well designed template to contain your news content will make a massive difference to the look of your eBulletins when they arrive in the email inbox. We design them to your brief so they conform to your branding or corporate requirements... and they work technically! Once approved, we upload it to your console as part of the £400 GBP set-up cost.
List Management
Build a main list and sub-lists for specific market sectors or customer groups so they can receive tailored messages. You can upload lists from an existing database exported as a CSV file via your console. You can also download your bulletinbuilder lists for other uses.
See our powerful List Builder Module
Content Management
A simple content management area displays a form for you to type in a headline, a lead paragraph (the one that appears in the email) and the full story (visible in the browser on click-through). Stories are stored on our server until you need to create and send an issue. Content is styled automatically so you need not worry about consistency but an HTML editor can be included on request to give extra styling and layout control. The editor will be easy to use for anyone familiar with software like Microsoft Word.
Creating Issues
In this area you simply click a box against each of the stories you wish to use in the next issue. You can define the order for them and press ‘submit’ to create the issue. It takes seconds.
Preview
After creating an issue you can check how it will look in the inbox. If you are unhappy with it you can go back to change it.
Editing and Deleting Stories
In this area you are presented with a list of stories to edit or delete permanently.
Embedded or downloadable images
There are two ways of handling images so you get the best results when they are sent. Embedded images are carried with the email whereas downloadable images wait for the receiver to request them. Both are valid but we usually find the download route the most successful. The choice is yours, based on your knowledge of your customer database.
Multiple eBulletin Titles
You can host more than one eBulletin ‘title’ on your console, each with its own content, mailing lists and logs. Each title is subject to a new set-up and licence fee but the costs reduce dramatically the more titles you have.
Image Library
As you browse your hard drive or CDs (it is your responsibility that you stay within the law for copyright) for images to go with your stories and upload them to your hard drive, you are creating your own online library. These pictures can be re-used in the future. When an eBulletin template is uploaded it will have been designed for use with the images at precise pixel dimensions. Make sure your images are the right size before you upload them or you will spoil the design. If you need help or advice about this please contact us.
Sending emails
Once the issue is prepared it can be sent to either of the following options:
- The full list of email addresses
- A sub-list
- Individual email addresses (useful for proofing purposes before sending to either of the above).
Logs
When an eBulletin arrives in the inbox it will display the first paragraph of each story plus a ‘more’ link. When that link is clicked it will open a browser to display the full story. That ‘click-though’ is logged on your console. Users have a range of useful statistics available to tell them which are the popular stories and who is clicking on them by displaying their email address. The feature is useful for sales follow-up or for checking important information is being accessed when it is used for internal communications.
Bounces
As your mailing list ages, some emails will be returned as undeliverable. Bounces are logged so they can be removed manually from the list or sub-list. Regular maintenance is advised to keep your lists clean.
Unsubscribe
The law demands a feature such as this on every ‘bulk’ email. If a recipient no longer wishes to receive your emails they click on this link to be automatically removed for future mailings.
